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A History of Horror, Fear, and the Uncanny
Take a step – if you dare – into the shadows and the story of our primal fascination with fear, terror, and the macabre.
This comprehensive and creepy guide explores the dark and eerie landscapes of horror down the centuries and across the world – from prehistoric death rituals and early monster myths to modern manifestations of the subject in art, literature, and film.
Discover how horror has evolved through the ages, beginning with the ancient visions of a hellish underworld. Encounter terrifying figures like Medusa and the Babylonian demon Pazuzu. Tread carefully through the medieval world, where a fear of the unknown stoked apocalyptic terror around the Black Death and gave rise to the demonology of the Malleus Maleficarum.
Delve into the folklore that gave birth to iconic creatures of the night – from vampires and werewolves to the Japanese Kappa water demon and the cannibalistic Wendigo of Indigenous American lore. Witness the emergence of Gothic literature, with the terrifying and genre-defining works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, and learn how the 20th century saw a new wave of terror unleashed through silent films, Expressionist art, and the emergence of horror cinema – from gruesome "body horror" movies to the social commentaries of films like Get Out.
Whether you're a dedicated horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this audiobook is the ultimate guide to the subject… Prepare yourself for a thrilling – and chilling – journey into the heart of darkness.
2025 DK (P) 2025 DK Audio
This comprehensive and creepy guide explores the dark and eerie landscapes of horror down the centuries and across the world – from prehistoric death rituals and early monster myths to modern manifestations of the subject in art, literature, and film.
Discover how horror has evolved through the ages, beginning with the ancient visions of a hellish underworld. Encounter terrifying figures like Medusa and the Babylonian demon Pazuzu. Tread carefully through the medieval world, where a fear of the unknown stoked apocalyptic terror around the Black Death and gave rise to the demonology of the Malleus Maleficarum.
Delve into the folklore that gave birth to iconic creatures of the night – from vampires and werewolves to the Japanese Kappa water demon and the cannibalistic Wendigo of Indigenous American lore. Witness the emergence of Gothic literature, with the terrifying and genre-defining works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, and learn how the 20th century saw a new wave of terror unleashed through silent films, Expressionist art, and the emergence of horror cinema – from gruesome "body horror" movies to the social commentaries of films like Get Out.
Whether you're a dedicated horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this audiobook is the ultimate guide to the subject… Prepare yourself for a thrilling – and chilling – journey into the heart of darkness.
2025 DK (P) 2025 DK Audio
- GenresHorrorNonfictionHistory
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
D.K. Publishing
10.1k books2,158 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 20, 2026
A timeline of everyone being scared of shit.
3.5
3.5
May 13, 2026
A History of Horror, Fear, and the Uncanny provided a nice overview of the genre.
I liked the concept and the many references even if it sometimes felt more like a list than anything else. I would recommend buying a physical copy rather an a ebook, the formatting was good.
I liked the concept and the many references even if it sometimes felt more like a list than anything else. I would recommend buying a physical copy rather an a ebook, the formatting was good.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews